hi all, car has been on SORN since november and has not been run much as have been doing many jobs on it. perhaps started 3 times in 6 months. took it out last week for first time and it was misfiring on what felt and sounded like a cylinder. took plugs out and they were a bit crappy so got a new set and fitted them tonight, still pops through the filter on tick over so whipped them out and after only 5 minuted tick over 2 are fine and 2 are really sooty. 2 and 4 if makes a difference. I am reluctant to mess with the screws on carbs as had it set up last year at Boggs and it was great but to go back is a 3 hour trip.

will it clear with a good run?
is it worth putting a cleaner through or direct into carbs?
any other ideas

it is a 97 blackbird on dyno jet jets and carbs, ohh and fuel was new 2 weeks ago as old fuel was drained and run through the tin top

When I first fired mine up after a couple of months without a run it would one fire on one at first.

Took a while but finally got it firing on all 4 one by one. The plugs kept on getting too wet, once I had given them a good clean and got it starting on 4 each time I took it out for a good blast and the plugs were fine when I got back.

Go out and give it a good run and see what the plugs look like when you come back.

Are the float needles shutting off properly? Leads corroded/damp?

Mine does it from time to time. Best thing I found was to put the plugs in hot, ie put them in the oven for a short while then go out for a drive. A good drive tends to clear all the crap out. If that doesn't work, I'd guess at the floats sticking.

I'd stick 'em in the oven after a roast dinner Leave them in there as the oven cools and then pop them in the car. Make sure the battery is up to the job, fresh fuel in the floats etc etc.... IE get 'em working ASAP then go for a blast. If all else fails get some new ones, bike plugs are (like a few BEC things e.g. batteries) a bit fragile if left alone....

I'd give the carbs and floats a good dousing of carb cleaner then try again

ok looks like beef for tea and a run out tonight.

greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat

the plugs were brand new and have only done the 5 minute tick over. will try moving leads around as i have a spare pair.

thanks so far.

pif

yeah but note: 5 minute tickover. a cold engine needs a richer mixture hence the need for a choke or else mixture adjusted by efi. taking them out after shuch a short time it should not be a surprise to find them sooty.

give it at least a 20 minute drive so engine gets up to temp. and then look at the plugs.